Teicoplanin 400 mg

Category- Allopathy

Medicine Highlights

Teicoplanin Uses  

Teicoplanin is an antibiotic medicine that is used to kill bacteria. It is mainly reserved for serious infections when other antibiotics are not effective or cannot be used. It helps treat conditions such as: 

1. Severe skin and soft tissue infections (wounds, abscess, infected cuts) 
2. Bloodstream infections (sepsis) 
3. Heart infections (endocarditis) 
4. Bone and joint infections 
5. Lung infections (pneumonia) 
6. Infections after surgery or hospital-acquired infections        

Directions for use

1. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day. 
2. Do not stop taking this medicine without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better. 
3. If you forget to take this medicine, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.  

Teicoplanin side effects 

More Common  

1. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea 
2. Headache, dizziness 
3. Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site  
4. Fever or chills   

Less Common

1. Allergic reactions: rash, itching, swelling of face/lips, difficulty breathing 
2. Low blood pressure or fast heartbeat 
3. Changes in liver or kidney function 
4. Blood problems: low platelet count or low white blood cells 
5. Hearing problems (rare)       

How Teicoplanin works 

Teicoplanin kills bacteria by stopping them from building their skin known as cell walls, which is essential for their survival. Without a proper cell wall, the bacteria burst, which stops them from growing and leads to their death, helping the body fight the infection 

Safety Measures and Warning 

Allergy/Hypersensitivity

If you have a known allergy to teicoplanin, inform your doctor as this may cause rash, itching, swelling, or breathing difficulty. 

Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or planning to conceive inform your doctor. Teicoplanin should be used only under doctor’s supervision 

Breastfeeding

Teicoplanin may pass into breast milk and affect the baby. If you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor, to avoid any complications to the fetus. 

Kidney problems

Inform your doctor if you have kidney disease, because teicoplanin is processed by the kidneys and may accumulate, increasing the risk of side effects. 

Teicoplanin Interaction with Food Product

Teicoplanin is given by injection, so food does not affect its action. Patients can eat and drink normally while receiving this medicine. No special diet is required. 

Teicoplanin Interaction with Other Medicines

Avoid taking Teicoplanin with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal: 

Teicoplanin Chemical Structure

IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name

Teicoplanin: (1S,2R,19R,22R,34S,37R,40R,52S)-2-[(2R,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3-acetamido-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-22-amino-5,15-dichloro-64-[(2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3-(decanoylamino)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-26,31,44,49-tetrahydroxy-21,35,38,54,56,59-hexaoxo-47-[(3S,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-7,13,28-trioxa-20,36,39,53,55,58 hexazaundecacy hexahexaconta 3,5,8,10,12(64),14,16,23(61),24,26,29(60),30,32,41(57),42,44,46(51),47,49,62,65-henicosaene-52-carboxylic acid 

Intake routine/cycle

Daily dose

Take Teicoplanin exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor. 

Missed Dose

If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage. 

Overdose

It is not recommended to take Teicoplanin more than 1200 mg per day. Overdose may cause tremors, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, nervousness, dizziness, headache, muscle cramps, or high blood pressure. In case of any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical help. 

Storage

1. Store the medicine at room temperature 
2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture 
3. Keep out of reach of children 

Teicoplanin Summary

Teicoplanin is a glycopeptide antibiotic injection used to treat serious infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria, including severe skin and soft tissue infections, bloodstream infections (sepsis), heart infections (endocarditis), bone and joint infections, lung infections (pneumonia), post-surgery or hospital-acquired infections. It is administered through injection under a doctor’s supervision, usually in a hospital. Patients with kidney problems may require dose adjustment, and regular monitoring . Patients with allergy to this medicine, kidney disease, hearing problems, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or previous serious antibiotic reactions should avoid taking this medicine.

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, and pain, redness at the injection site, Teicoplanin interaction with food is minimal, as it is given by injection and can be taken with normal meals. The overdose amount is 1200 mg per day, above this amount may cause harmful reactions and requires immediate medical attention. 

FAQ’s

What are the uses of Teicoplanin injection? 

Teicoplanin injection is used to treat serious infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria, including severe skin, bloodstream, heart, bone, joint, lung, post-surgery, and is given by injection under a doctor’s supervision for complicated or hard-to-treat cases.  

How should Teicoplanin dose adjusted to kidney problems? 

Since teicoplanin is mainly removed by the kidneys, patients with reduced kidney function may need a lower dose or longer intervals between doses. The exact dose depends on the severity of kidney impairment and doctor’s assessment. 

What are the common side effects of Teicoplanin? 

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, and pain or redness at the injection site. 

What class of drug does Teicoplanin belong to? 

Teicoplanin belongs to the glycopeptide class of antibiotics, which are mainly active against Gram-positive bacteria. 

Reference 

1. PubChem. Teicoplanin [Internet]. Nih.gov. PubChem; 2026 [cited 2026 Jan 15]. Available from 
2. GUIDELINES FOR USE OF TEICOPLANIN [Internet]. 2020. Available from 
3. Teicoplanin Injection IP [Internet]. [cited 2026 Jan 15]. Available from 

Pranathi Chintaluri

Pranathi is a final year Pharm D student at Chalapathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. She loves learning and applying her knowledge in pharmacy and has a passion for writing, which allows her to express ideas clearly and creatively. She enjoys combining her technical skills with her love for writing and communication to make a meaningful impact. Currently she is working on a research paper about “Consanguineous marriages and its impact on children’s health” which will be published by the end of 2025.